Benefits Of Photosynthesis

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Benefits of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is vital biological process through which plants utilize the sun’s energy together with water and carbon dioxide so as to create their own food. In general, without photosynthesis, there would probably be no plant life. Aside from ensuring that plants survive, the photosynthesis process has lots of benefits for us humans. Here are some benefits of photosynthesis.

1. Medicinal benefits
Skin cancer and ageing are examples of some of the numerous detrimental light effects on both animals and humans. However, since plants as well as other photosynthetic living organisms have been handling light for ages, they have developed some mechanisms for limiting light damage. This knowledge of the natural mechanisms that plants use to protect themselves from sunlight can assist us discover ways of adapting these processes so as to benefit humanity in countless areas.

2. Energy production
The knowledge got from extensive photosynthesis research can be used to improve energy production directly. Even though the general process of photosynthesis is somewhat wasteful, the first step when sunlight is converted to energy is very efficient. This principle has been utilized for building solar energy devices.

3. Food production
Most of our food requirements are actually met by plants, both directly and through eating herbivorous animals like cows. Plants are able to manufacture foodstuffs through photosynthesis. In actuality, this means that if photosynthesis was absent, then food would not be available as well.

4. Environmental benefits
Photosynthesis helps to remove carbon dioxide gas from the environment and the release oxygen in its place. Once oxygen is released through photosynthesis, it absorbs the ultraviolet radiation and forms the beneficial ozone layer. This ozone layer is the one that protects the world from the detrimental effects of ultraviolet light.

The shortcomings associated with the photosynthesis process are that it is restricted to certain areas and certain times. For example, it cannot take place in the shade and also at night.